Coun Farnell said: “This is the worst rainfall the borough has seen since records began in 1910 and I’ve never seen anything like this in the area in my lifetime.

“It truly is unprecedented.

“What has truly amazed me is the resilience and support that the whole community has given.

“Rochdale has had a truly horrendous few days, but there is a true community spirit that has shone through.

“The government should have declared a state of emergency and they need to re-think the levels of cuts being imposed on northern councils or the way we will be able to manage in the future will be seriously undermined.”